Lineal Heavyweight Champions

Lewis was declared WBC heavyweight champion in 1993 when Riddick Bowe refused to face him, making him the first heavyweight champion from Britain in the 20th century. He didn't become the lineal champ until knocking out Shannon Briggs five years later. The self-styled "pugilist specialist" went on to unify the heavyweight titles in a two-bout series with Evander Holyfield.